Stornoway Running and Athletics Club |
||||
| SRAC Half | Heb 3 | Training Routes | Links | Pace Calculator |
Flying through dense cloud to emerge over a damp, drizzly, western island - particularly after the hot sunshine in Aberdeen, Stavanger and Oslo - we could be forgiven for thinking we had flown full circle and back home again?
The scene we later witnessed on our 2am amble round town - young guys lined up in DIY cars to chat and race along the quayside - was also too reminiscent of a Stornoway Sunday afternoon. And similarities did not end there. Back at the hotel, we watched as revellers spilled from nightclubs and pubs onto the street. Cars negotiated round leather-jacketed men and scantily clad women (given the temperature). A police car slowed down, then apparently unconcerned, moved off again.
No wonder we began to question whether we had spent a long day hopping off
ferries, buses, trains and planes only to end up in Lewis in a hotel above
Stornoway Narrows?
Fortunately there was a few indicators that we were indeed in the arctic circle preparing to running the Tromso Midnight Sun marathon - 24 hour daylight, wooden houses, modern architecture, beautiful sun-capped mountains and stuffed polar bears being the most obvious! And to be fair we saw no rain after our first night.
For our group, preparation for the marathon had two main elements. Firstly - fish. Fish for breakfast, fish for lunch, fish for dinner. Janetta's aversion to fish made it difficult to find adequate fuel for a 26 mile run so she placed her faith in the Marathon banquet which was to take place in Tromso's plushest hotel. Rushing to vast buffet tables, she was horrified to realise that every dish included fish and tried to console herself with a couple of puddings.
The second element was lack of sleep. Its not easy to sleep when the sun refuses to go down and we were as active at 2am as at 2pm - in fact more so. The evening before or, more accurately, the morning of the marathon we tramped across the long bridge from Tromso to a neighbouring island and up a chairlift to get spectacular midnight views over both Tromso and the surrounding mountains - and more importantly the whole marathon route.
From the choice of marathon, half marathon, 10k and fun-run, Janetta MacDonald, Ethel MacNally Meg Gordon and Norma Gatensby opted to do the marathon. Jane Macintosh reckoned her chances of survival - given her 3-weekly short-run training schedule - were better in the half-marathon. Norma Crosbie opted to act as bag carrier and team photographer.
Setting off at 8.30pm in the evening after a long day sight-seeing the marathoners circled the town then headed across the bridge. Running for 10 miles on the other side they then crossed back over the bridge into Tromso and followed the half marathon route - half way round Tromso Island and back.
At the three-mile mark, Jane and Norma Crosbie cheered their team-mates in their colourful combination of strips - two SRAC, two Calbost Harrier and one impartial. (no names mentioned) At this point Janettta was about a minute up on the other three. Jane then joined the starting line of the half at 10pm and after quickly falling into conversation with an American girl, they decided to run the race together. By completion they knew each other's life histories and still remain in touch. The event was Jane's PW but she since managed another one at Harris!
For Jane the indignation of having marathoners pounding past from behind then meeting them again on their return stretch, gave way to euphoria as she turned herself and began to meet the main pack of marathoners still on their way out. Meg and Ethel eventually appeared on the far side of the road still able to tell the odd yarn or two. Norma followed some time later - but where was Janetta?
Behind a bush apparently! Now we all know that Norma has a deep interest in flora and fauna - and indeed throughout the race she was seen bolting a number of times into the hedgerows - but to have Janetta doing likewise was something new. Then again arctic vegetation is quite unique and worth losing 10 minutes of running time for!
Finishing times reflected these delaying detours. Meg and Ethel crossed the line first, Janetta next and then Norma. No PBs - times ranged between 4.15 hours and 4.40 hours. Amusing moment of the run was two drunken local girls - remember we are talking 2am - grabbing one grumpy looking knackered marathoner 200 yards from the finish, and dragging him to the line rather faster than he would have liked.
Remaining highlights of the trip include:
- watching Ethel pick up 1st prize in her age category
- watching Meg take off in a rather plush boat for an extended holiday, down the western seaboard (not that we wanted rid of her but because it was such an incredibly beautiful evening.)
A trip to the former Eastern bloc country of Czecheslovakia, now known as the Czech Republic, was the venue for two club members in May.Runners Bom Mackay and Ross Munro felt now was a good time to try and achieve some better times for their 5th and 6th marathon respectively.With both athletes being the wrong side of forty it was felt that they were now close to reaching the peak of their running careers. This was the opportunity to produce some quality times - maybe evenPB's!
With this thought firmly placed in their minds they started a training regime
in the depths of one dark February weekend. Sixteen weeks of training
lay ahead of them.They needed to be focused and most importantly they had
to remain injury free.
After twelve weeks the boys were turning out a regular 50 -60 mile workload every week and things were looking good. Towards the end of April both runners had posted a 34 minute 10k during the Pentland Handicap. This was followed by a 23 mile -2hrs 36 min - training run the following day. Things were looking good and when the time came to take that flight from Glasgow the mood was bouyant amongst the athletes.Everything was in place and with a sense of satisfaction and a measure of determination they took to their seats.
The flight was to be via Brussels where they would then take the conection to Prague. It was at this stage that things took a turn for the worse."We were at the check in desk ready to take the Prague flight when we were told that our baggage was still in Glasgow" The ultimate marathon runners nightmare . No kit, no gels, no special fluid mixers and no underpants !! The one small crumb of comfort they could take from this was that they had put their running shoes through as 'hand luggage' Questions were starting to develop in the minds of the runners.How would this affect the months of hard dedication and preparation?
On arrival in Prague priority was given to finding replacement kit.Unfortunately in a country which had only recently given up Communism (The Velvet Revolution 1989) the chances looked decidedly stark.
Trying to put everything behind them Ross and Bom turned up on race day with newly accquired 'borrowed' kit.Ask your fellow runners for their smelly spare socks and shorts also that scabby T-shirt that always lies at the bottom of their kit bag. They set off on a fine sunny morning through the cobbled streets of the Old Town Square(Staromestske nam) along with the 6000 plus fellow athletes and across the famous Charles Bridge to run through the city of a hundred spires
The finish of the race just off Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske nam) found both runners well outside their target times. Ross completing in a time of 3.01 and Bom a further ten minutes behind in 3.11. There was an obvious tiredness mentally and physically in both runners and the usual dissappointment. "We felt that our preparation was right. Maybe it wasnt right on the day" commented Bom
After the recovery period both athletes set out to enjoy the hospitality of the people of this magnificently stunning city.As the pain of the race began to fade away there was a mention of returning to Prague next year. "Theres a Half Marathon in March" suggested Ross. "I think I'll wear my running kit going through Brussels airport!" replied Bom.
The Club, Training Sessions And The Vest
Two years have passed since SRC metamorphosis occurred at the 1999 AGM resulting in the new (and present) title SRAC. However it seems confusion reigns with aspects of “The Club.” Poor attendance at club training sessions has led committee hierarchy to seek opinions pertaining to “The Club,” “Training sessions” and so forth.
The resulting view-points expressed have sent shock waves to every seat of SRAC power in Skigersta. It is believed that chairman Al Dunop was shocked by grass-roots response to “The Club and Training nights,” that he seemingly was unable to comment from his home base in the Lewis Northern frontier of Skigersta.
One club member, residing in the Stewart Drive area is alleged to have said of “The Club” “Well the nightlife in Stornoway is not very good, so I like to go clubbing in Glasgow!” Another Stewart Drive resident’s comments are reported to have been “Oh! Dear me, No! I’m not ‘In The Club’, I already have a grown up family!” While a Tong based member supposedly made the remark “Aw naw cove, my Father-in-law is in the club, so whenever I want a cheap pint, he sign’s me into the Legion!”
Grass-roots members attending weekly training sessions will undoubtedly share in the hierarchy’s shock of misconceptions relating to “The Club and Training sessions.” It has therefore been left to the “Gazette” to make clear the situation regarding “The Club and Training sessions.”
Example: “OK then, I’ll see you at The Club”
Explanation: Easy … Monday’s 7pm and Thursday’s 6pm at Springfield Road changing area and/or running track.
Hey! Look at what Chambers Dictionary has to say:
“Club” 4. - A group or association of people with common aims or interests.
14 - To unite or combine for a common purpose.
SRAC is non-elitist. Welcomes all, and hopefully encourages newcomers! Don’t fall for the “Oh! I’m not fit enough to make club night training sessions” we all started out less fit than we are now. Schedule Monday’s 7pm and Thursday’s 6pm to be at “The Club.” You we can all make the excuses “I’ve windows to paint!” “Grass to cut!” “A meal to cook!” “Children to farm out!” “To drive to town!” Well OK! So maybe you can’t make every session but how about as many as you can? So hey! Come on, let’s get together, train together and really get the club together.
A contingent of SRAC Road Runners were left numbed by the failed attempt of Domnall Domhnallach to organise transport to Tarbert for Ethel’s race (Harris Half Marathon). The group of expectant coach travellers were left with a last minute scramble to put together a convoy of various vehicles to make the journey South.
Most made use of one of Ali MacKinnon’s best while Malky (the speed king) Crate sacrificed Apres race activities to take along SRAC juniors Johnny Murray, Jason MacLeod and Chirsty MacLeod (all category winners in the fun run) in his own Eye Peninsula Space Shuttle machine. “Wee” Murdo (getting smaller in girth each passing club session – regular attendance works you see) also used his own vehicle as did the Tong contingent including “Golden Couple”/SY1/2 organisers Roddy and Mandy Gillies, (perhaps – Silver couple on account of Mandy’s horde of silverware from her debut season in running – Roddy is in no way envious).
After rendezvousing at Tarbet S.R.A.C.’s makeshift convoy of “Roadies” then began to unload the caravan’s “cargo” of HEB3 prizes and refreshments. Amid the busy scene, but, more towards tasks end, Doigeil Domhnall arrived but not as his usual “Comha Co Du” self. Domhnallach visibly upset by his seemingly massive travel coup collapse however was still intent on completing yet another 13.1!
Whispers quickly spread throughout the SRAC squad, “Domhnallach looks more gruamach than ourselves, perhaps we’ll forego the slagging and make do with a peace offering drop from his trusty pewter flask! Alas D.D.D.’s fraught state of mind caused him to journey South without his normally ever-present pewter pal!
Unknown however to the rest of S.R.A.C were the full details of Doigheil D.D.’s failed travel coup. Nothing from previous travel arrangements it seems could compare. This was not a Meg Gordon or Tony Robson effort, i.e. simple van hire from Mackinnon’s or C.N.E.S. bus booking. Domhnall is reported to have been involved in something much bigger while doubling up on club business when attending Comhairle course. Rumour has it, he had almost tied up a deal with a National Bus/Train company and is believed to have had the Company Director/Owner, a Mr Bryan Sootie ready to sign a long-term travel/sponsorship deal.
But for those of us who saw a Gruamach Domhnall arrive at Tarbert and applaud him across the finish line – it was clear the deal was dead.
Ed. Note S.RA.C have several travel or vest sponsorship deals fall through, but any inside knowledge of potential sponsors would be welcomed at the seat of Secretarial Power in Keose.
There was a first time HEB3 runner on the ferry arriving at Lochmaddy for the following days Benbecula half marathon this year.
Aime Dworecki had travelled up from Edinburgh on public transport to run the race, having been unable to come North earlier for the Stornoway half. She quit her job earlier in the year as a marketing manager for a large US microchip manufacturer based in California, and she was planning to travel throughout Europe for the summer, taking in a few races en route.
Adopted at Lochmaddy by SRAC runners Jim Bruce, Bom and Sandy Duncan. Aime began to find out that the HEB3 race series is a unique and wonderful experience. She described the Benbecula race day as “a highlight of the trip so far”, on her website, which she has created to record her travel experiences in Europe. Aime kept in touch by email, and kept her word to come back from Europe to run the Harris half marathon. (In the meantime, she ran the Tromso half marathon, but didn’t know that the Stornoway girls were also there, running the marathon).
She travelled up from Edinburgh with SRAC runners Dougie Flett, Jim and Sandy. In common with all the runners who travelled for the race, the Harris half marathon race day was fantastic. The race itself, and the HEB3 prizegiving following the race, the post race celebrations (including Big D’s special vinegar), and the ferry back to Uig, are for many, the highlight of an annual running calendar (it certainly is for me).
A few weeks later, I got an email from Aime from Croatia. She wanted to know if it was possible for her to join Stornoway Running and Athletics Club, so she could wear SRAC colours in her future races. Her website has been updated with some excellent photographs of Scotland and the race days themselves, and some very flattering words about SRAC, and some of her experiences in her glimpse of the HEB3, 2001 style.
It is well worth looking at the website, to see how her trips to Scotland compared to elsewhere in Europe. The website address is www.aime.250x.com/home.
Then again, you can wait and ask her yourself. She’ll be coming from California for the 2002 series.
Once upon a time there was a guy who whiled away the hours in the Islands wilderness Lochs and Moors, pursuing his passion for a genteel pastime. Back then the jargon was ground bait, rises, bites and tight lines.
But deep down however, there was a want for something more – something all
the hours of dapping, spinning, trawling, luring and fly-casting could not
satisfy. It was an inner craving he knew as a child, It was SPEED! ( Eh, no,
not that columbian stuff!!)
Reflecting on his childhood memories, pedalling his little shiny pedal car – Malky Crate knew his passive angling pastime was going to take a back seat ride!
26.2 should be the Gazette readers clue. But one thing’s for sure Malky knew. That classic distance once endured, leads many on to the pursuit, of ever longer, ever stronger ,ever higher and most important for our “SPEED KING” Malky, ever faster. Those little legs that once loved to pedal, now just love to run and run.
Gone are the days of green hunter wellies and deer stalker fore and afts. Now its shiny lycra leggins aerflow shirts and tactel shorts( ED never knew there was a short called Tactel, is it a blend or a malt.)
Now fair is fair, we would like to improve a new PB on road or track, but come on lets do them on our feet, cause as Malky knows fifty seven doesn’t go into forty.
No doubt distracted by a busy schedule as a dad and a club coach, but probably with his mind on the entertainment at his destination,. Yet by no stretch of the imagination does Malky’s eye peninsula shuttle.(Rover 418) resemble a red coloured Hawk trainer. Somehow or other though between Point and Tong Highland games, thoughts turned to speed!!! Having outgrown his shiny pedal car, sitting in his Rover 418 Malky had become a low flying red arrow on his way to tong
Another piece of coaches’ advice - when overcome by urges of speed, see Domhnall for low flyers ( the famous grouse type)! Or when speeding up into a 40 zone – only go for it if is Pentland road 10K home straight!
Coach Crate SRAC salute you!!! Most worthy of Gazette acclaim
“The Vest”: For a number of seasons now the wearing of “The Vest” or more precisely NOT wearing “The Vest” has been controversial if not down right confusing to some of the S.R.A.C rank and file. The wagging of fingers or the Tut Tut of disapproving conversations have not gone unnoticed. Sometimes .R.A.C runners have been questioned for turning out in vests not in keeping with S.R.A.C design and colour, or worse have had a good ol’ ear bashing. But hey! Nothing wrong with a good ol’ slagging from time to time (sense of humour, eh) but only at the right time and place though.
So any dubiety regarding “The Vest”, including vest’s of convenience (E.G. making up any old team at an event), vests of Pairc origin, vests with colour matching that of Junior Girl Guides and even S.R.A.C’s: Here is “The Vest” users idiot guide, allaying both doubt and ignorance!
1. Definitely at all District and National events (Track, Hill or cross-country) as per S.A.F. rules.
2. As often and as at many venues possible let em know S.R.A.C are in town!
3. At events within the North District where other S.R.A.C runners are taking part
4. Surely at “Local” I.E. West Coast/Western Isles events and most certainly our own
5. Events! – W.I.X-C. Chmps, Stornoway and Harris Half Marathons.
When you might want to don other colours – or not turn out Red hooped in Yellow: -
1. Taking part in events outwith the district and with no other S.R.A.C members or
2. with not enough members to make up a team.
3. As above while running for a second claim affiliated club.
4. Wholly with the club’s blessing having been selected to represent the District, Scotland your country of birth or GB (even though the GB vest is Red, White and Blue and while you may also be subjected to listening to God Save The Queen while receiving your Gold Medal!!!)
5. To keep the peace – I.E. not on the Sabbath within the island this has long been an accepted unwritten club rule – maybe some time in the future this could change??
Note: The blank vest shown may be coloured in, in S.R.A.C colours in your own time. Please then cut out and bring along to the next possible training session. This challenge hard as it appears will confirm your knowledge of “The Vest” and your commitment to wearing it – snarl and grunt.
Alasdair “Longshanks” Dunlop: Performing at the top level turned in a superb performance at the World Veterans Championship’s in Australia. Having been the first Scot’s Veteran to run sub 2 mins for 800M he amazingly six years later ran sub 2 again to pick up the World Vets M45 Silver medal. However his deliberate ploys to avoid having to listen to “The Queen” was foiled as a fellow GB athlete just pipped him for First! But Al did pick up Gold in the 4 x 400M relay and also did well in the 1500M placing 9th.
13 mile Multi-Terrain Great Wilderness Challenge victor was Malcolm Bain. Sub’s known to have been paid as recently as season 99-00.
Fellow veteran and darling of the Harris ½ - Ethel McNally who won her category while running the Tromso Marathon.
Golspie 10K veteran winner placing 3rd overall Ross Munro, finally also winner of Benbecula ½ after two previous second places. SRAC’s Iain “The Skean” Bom MacKay took the runner’s up spot this year, as did ladies veteran winner Jayne Millar.
Longshanks II – Ian Gilbert picked up the veteran’s trophy at the best half in the world – Stornoway Half (sorry Ethel).
In August, Gavin Earons and Janet Smith completed the Hebridean Challenge (despite doing the last two days a man short - Graham finished his race early in Ospadal nan Eilean for the third time! Their team “Sula Sgeir” won the Veterans prize and finished sixth overall in a total time of just under 70 - yes seventy - hours!
Finally to the mainland guys who turned out for the club Red hooped in Yellow! Most recently Doug Flett, Jim Bruce and Sandy Duncan making up a team in the Capital City 10K. Jim and Doug will be joined by Bom and Ross on Oct 7th at the Oban ½ - hopefully DDD will also “Show”.
Dorcas for throwing the spear successfully at the North Districts.